History
and Evolution
The
FBI's Counterintelligence Division has maintained
responsibility for foreign counterintelligence since
it was created. At different times it has also maintained
responsibility for terrorism, subversion, security,
and related investigations. The following chronology
shows how it has evolved--and changed names-- to
meet evolving threats.
-
Before
1939
FBI
held responsibility for foreign counterintelligence
(FCI), terrorism and related investigations. Prior
to WWI, many of these responsibilities were shared
with the Secret Service. Still, the FBI has held
primary responsibility for counterintelligence
within America since 1917.
-
1939
The
General Intelligence Division was created to handle
FCI and other intelligence investigations.
-
1940
A
Special Intelligence Service Division was created
to send undercover agents to South and Central America
to gather intelligence and to effect counterintelligence
operations against Nazi agents and supporters operating
there. It was closed in 1946 when President Truman
created the Central Intelligence Group.
-
1941
The
General Intelligence Division was renamed National
Defense Division.
-
1943
The
National Defense Division was renamed the Security
Division (not to be confused with the Security
Division created in 2001).
-
1953
Renamed
the Domestic Security Division.
-
1973
Renamed
the Intelligence Division.
(Then, in 1976, Domestic Intelligence/Security
investigations, including
those involving domestic terrorism, were transferred
out, into the Criminal
Investigative
Division CID.)
- 1993
Renamed
the National Security Division
NSD.
(In 1994, the domestic terrorism responsibility
moved back to NSD.)
- 1999
Counterterrorism
Division and Investigative
Services Division were created in a Bureauwide reorganization
and those responsibilities
were transferred out of
NSD and CID, into the new
division.
- 2001
NSD
was renamed the Counterintelligence Division. The
Security Division, Cyber
Division, and Office of Intelligence were created
out of the Counterintelligence
Division in December, 2001.
|
|
|
